Where does Mikael Backlund fit in Flames’ rebuilding plan?

Centre is a pending restricted free agent, who is lands somewhere in between youth injection and veteran firesale

Mikael Backlund is a ‘tweener’ in the Flames rebuilding process — too young to be a veteran and too old to be part of the club’s youth movement.

Photograph by: Stuart Gradon
, Calgary Herald

In the throes of the Calgary Flames’ underwhelming season, two distinct camps have emerged.

Well-established veterans who, with varying degrees of vigour, are playing out the string.

And brash newcomers who are itching to make lasting impressions.

Which leaves Mikael Backlund where exactly?

Yes, the centreman is young — he turned 24 only weeks ago. But he is also seasoned. Wednesday marked the 162nd appearance of his National Hockey League career.

So perhaps a foot in each group?

“Yeah, I’m more in the middle,” agrees Backlund. “I’ve been here a few years now. I’m not a veteran like (Alex Tanguay or Michael Cammalleri), but it’s not my first year like some other guys. But I’m trying to take more responsibilities, trying to take more charge, be a little more vocal in the room and on the ice.

“I try to help the young guys and I try to listen to the old guys.”

But this is telling.

With rookie Max Reinhart nabbing his first NHL point Wednesday, Backlund is asked about his own offensive coming-out — a goal, Jan. 28, 2010, in Phoenix. Does that seem like a long time ago?

“It does, now that I think about it,” he replies. “Time flies by. It’s been a while.”

Which are not the words of a kid.

Backlund is meant to be nosing over to the prime-time side of the roster. Which is why the Flames staff is demanding much more from him than, say, Roman Horak.

“I’m pushing Backs quite a bit right now,” says coach Bob Hartley. “He’s still very young. Sometimes you don’t realize how tough it is to be in the NHL, how tough it is to win in the NHL. I want to help him realize that there’s probably one, two, three more gears to Mikael Backlund.

“He can’t be satisfied with what he’s got so far because we’re still not a playoff team and he’s been scratched many times since the start of his career.”

Backlund makes note of the Flames’ changing direction — “Retooling, rebuilding, whatever it’s called” — and how refreshing the next chapter could be.

“There’s always a point in time when things happen for a reason,” he says. “We’re getting some young guys in there. It’s nice to see. It’s tough losing, but we’re trying to stay positive and enjoy the last run here. It’s tough to lose those guys (Jarome Iginla, Jay Bouwmeester), but it’s time for other guys to step up. There’s more room for other guys.”

Starting with No. 11.

Backlund, quietly, is responding.

In the past two dates, operating with flankers Lee Stempniak and Tanguay, he has directed 13 shots on goal.

“I want to help him realize what he needs to keep doing,” Hartley says. “He’s tougher in puck battles. He’s going harder at the net. I want him to play as a centreman. You need to be able to play the game in the three zones. He’s a great skater. He’s got great vision. I want to help him expand his role and believe in himself.”

Wednesday against Vancouver, the Vasteras, Sweden, native piled up a game-high three hits.

“In Calgary, you almost have to kill guys to get (credit for) a hit, so I was pretty happy,” says Backlund, chuckling. “If you work hard in your own zone, battle hard, it’s just going to make the game easier — you’ll get more chances up front, you’ll play more in the offensive zone than the defensive zone. This year, it’s something I’ve been working on . . . before games, preparing and telling myself to battle hard. It’ll make my game easier.

“I’m trying to get involved more, play more physical. The coach has been on me all year to play hard and be strong.”

In addition to checks, Backlund, uncharacteristically, funnelled some late-game hate at Kevin Bieksa, who had mistreated him post-whistle.

“Yeah, well, I was a little pissed at him,” he explains. “I didn’t think I went through the (crease), so that wasn’t necessary. Anyways, it happens.”

In quieter moments, when not shrieking at Canucks defencemen, he admits to contemplating his fate in Calgary. Backlund, in the final stages of a one-year deal worth $725,000, is a pending restricted free agent.

“Obviously, the better I play, the better contract I’ll get — that’s how it works,” says Backlund. “So I’m trying to do my best and show them that I want to be a part of this team, I want to be part of the future of this organization.

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